May 26th, 2020 • 3 minute read
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The Guest Curation: Kim Mesches
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As a fashion designer, brand consultant, stylist, author, and all around tastemaker, Kim Mesches has an irrefutable eye for the visual and the artistic. In Kim’s debut memoir, Fashion Boy, we get a gripping, often hilarious tell-all of his experiences in the fashion world. This week, Kim joins us to share his favorite moments from the book and a special curation of his favorite artworks from Art in Res.
Kim, we're honored to have you here today! Fashion Boy is so enthralling –– and had me laughing out loud more than a couple times. Did you always know that you would work in the world of visual culture?
Thanks for the kind words! It was so much fun to work on. I think I always knew I would end up working on some sort of visual arts growing up. I always loved fashion, drawing and creating, it was the realm I always felt most comfortable in.
How would you describe your taste in art? Do you feel like it relates to your sense of style?
I love all kinds of art, but usually I'm drawn to bold and graphic pieces that have a sense of something organic. I love high contrast pieces that feel impactful. In terms of style, absolutely. In my personal style, I usually dress pretty simply, but when I am styling or designing I definitely favor a bolder aesthetic.
What was the harder decision for you: dropping out of school to pursue a career in fashion, or leaving your job as Head Designer to strike out on your own?
Oh, good question. I think leaving my job was a harder decision. Dropping out of school felt pretty natural because I knew I wasn't in the right place. Branching out on your own in fashion is very intense and it's still scary all the time. It's such a fickle and competitive industry that doing your own thing without a safety net was terrifying and still is.
Did working in fashion change your aesthetic sensibilities?
100%. Working in fashion exposes you to so many types of aesthetics and inspirations. Each collection I worked on has to be researched and concepted. You learn a lot about what people pull references from visually as well as developing what you're attracted to. Also from a stylist's point of view, you have to be able to take a brand's existing aesthetic and push it a little further, which is always fun.
There are so many funny moments in Fashion Boy, and there seems to be a recurring theme of strong personalities, long nights, and tight deadlines. Does any one stand out to you as the funniest or most dramatic?
Honestly there were so many insane moments that were so fun to relive. One part that I really had fun reliving was the unstable homeless man who posed as a millionaire investor and ended up living in our office and talking to God. The most fun thing about Fashion Boy is that all of the stories in there are 100% true and I couldn't have made them up.
Do you think having an "eye" for fashion, art, style, etc. is something you're born with, or something you can develop?
I think an "eye" for fashion, art and style is something you are born with to a certain extent, but can definitely fine-tune as you're exposed to more.
What advice would you give to young hopefuls who want to work in fashion?
Get a foot in the door any way possible. Fashion is based on connections, relationships, and what you can bring to the table aesthetically. I learned more interning than I did going to Fashion Institute of Technology. Getting hands-on experience is the best way to jump into the deep end.
Virtual installations courtesy of ArtPlacer
Guest Curation by Kim Mesches @kimmesches